Water Rights Can Have Major Impact on Property Values: Appraisal Institute Book

July 30, 2012 08:00 AM

CHICAGO (July 31, 2012) – With the world population estimated to have recently passed 7 billion, the global freshwater market will be a “seller’s market” for the foreseeable future, according to a new book by the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers.

“The Appraisal of Water Rights,” published this week by the Appraisal Institute, encourages appraisers to become geographically competent in order to provide credible, reliable opinions of value for properties involving water rights.

“Appraisal assignments involving water rights are often challenging. Although the valuation of water rights is not commonly covered in appraisal texts, freshwater is a vital property asset that will continue to grow in importance as the world’s population increases.,” Appraisal Institute President Sara W. Stephens, MAI, wrote in the book’s foreword.

“The Appraisal of Water Rights,” by author Steven J. Herzog, MAI, covers the nature and transferability of water rights, the applicability of appraisal standards and the skills and knowledge needed to handle valuation assignments involving water rights competently. Case studies demonstrating the appraisal of partial and stand-alone interests are included along with a glossary of water-related terms.

“The Appraisal of Water Rights” (ISBN: 978-1-935328-29-2) is a 106-page softcover book. It is available for $45 ($35 for Appraisal Institute members). Click here or call 888-756-4624 to order.

The Appraisal Institute is a global membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with nearly 23,000 members in nearly 60 countries throughout the world. Its mission is to advance professionalism and ethics, global standards, methodologies, and practices through the professional development of property economics worldwide. Organized in 1932, the Appraisal Institute advocates equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the appraisal profession and conducts its activities in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Members of the Appraisal Institute benefit from an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and may hold the prestigious MAI, SRPA and SRA designations. Learn more at www.appraisalinstitute.org.